Building And Construction: A Source Of Employment That Affects The Environment And Health Negatively
The Mt Kenya Times 
People working in a construction site without protective gear
By: Tonny O. Blair
Oyugis, an upcoming town located in Homabay County, is a place that holds great potential for growth and prosperity in the coming years. The town boasts of well-designed, structured and built-story buildings that line its streets. However, as we admire these impressive structures, it is also important to consider the safety of the builders who work tirelessly to construct them. This includes their health and the environment they interact with during the construction process.
Stephen Odhiambo, a 31-year-old resident of Uriri in Migori County who lives in Oyugis with his family, makes a living through building and construction. As the town continues to grow and develop, it is crucial to ensure that the builders who contribute to this growth are safe and protected.
“I have been working in the building and construction industry for about 8 years now, and I am grateful that I have been able to provide for my family’s needs. My kids are attending school, and I am proud to be able to support them. Specifically, I work in four different sectors: painting, roofing, construction, and tiling. Although each sector offers good pay, there are also challenges that come with them – both in terms of health and the work environment. One of my friends, for example, accidentally got cement in his eyes and now suffers from poor vision.” Stephen Says.
According to the Guardian, concrete is the most widely used substance on the planet. But its benefits mask enormous dangers to the planet, to human health and to culture itself. Furthermore, according to the Health and Safety Environment (HSE), exposure to high levels of cement dust irritates the nose and throat. Longer-term exposure could lead to occupational asthma. Mortar can also contain respirable crystalline silica (RCS).
He added, “Most of us assume putting on protective gears when working hence are exposed to health complications. The process of tiling and construction involves the use of cement, and in most cases, we are exposed to the cement dust which we literally inhale; with time it causes a lot of health complications like chest problems and other diseases related to respiratory. I remember sometime back when I had chest complications the doctor advised me to take fresh milk after work. I complied. So, of late I’m relatively better. Again, I suspect that dust not only affects us but also the neighbourhoods within the construction areas, dust causes air pollution which later interferes with the environment directly or indirectly.”
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), cement emits a lot of dangerous dust into the air causing air pollution that’s linked to an array of health harms; the cement industry is the third largest source of industrial air pollution such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide.
“On the other hand, painting again has another challenge revolving around health issues especially when it involves the use of “Super gloss paints” The mixing process involves the use of “turpentine”, when inhaled can easily cause suffocation for those who meet it for the first time, and even if you wear your mask; there is a given percentage that goes through the mask hence do not favor those who are asthmatic. Also if the paint drops in your eyes it may cause some damage. With roofing, it kills easily since if you wrongly balance yourself you definitely fall off the roof, you break your legs or any part of you.” Stephen says.
He concluded, “But we have no otherwise we have just to risk at least in order to put something on the table at the end of the day.”
According to Nancy Awuor, 26, a single mother of one, up to 5 pm in the evening we have to be in the construction sites work for us to earn something at the end of the day.
“I found myself in this work some 3 years ago after my fourth form, my parents could not sustain my college education. So, in the process, I got my first kid. In this field, the main challenge is that it’s monopolized by men hence securing a chance as a lady is hard. Furthermore, if it happens that you get a chance, the foreman or manager of the site will follow you up and down demanding “sex” for him to give you a chance the following day to work.” Awuor says.
According to the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, the sole mandate of the National Construction Authority (NCA) is to register and certify contractors and accredit skilled construction workers and site supervisors. Project registration and issuance of site compliance certificates. Mandatory construction site inspections for quality assurance purposes. Enforcement of the building code.
“At times I find myself depressed and stressed, I even think of killing myself but again what about my kid? So, I just have to go through those harassments as I look for another alternative for survival. In the site, we are exposed to a lot of pollution that normally affects us negatively. Building and construction is well paying but it has its negative impacts on health and also the environment.” Awuor added.
In collaboration, the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) should ensure that these construction sites do not affect the relative environment. They should also create awareness of the importance of environmental conservation and the sole responsibility of everyone in promoting nature. Furthermore, they should get hold of those who ignore them and hold them accountable for causing environmental degradation.
Finally, the National Construction Authority (NCA) should up its game and ensure that the code of conduct within the construction sites is upheld to the latter so that we can promote a civilized society with equal opportunity which is also an ambassador of integrity within those jurisdictions. Again, to those working in construction sites; prevention is better than cure, let’s make putting on protective gear a culture or a norm, so as to prevent these unnecessary health complications unnecessary health complications.
Tonny O. Blair is an undergraduate at Rongo University, Kenya; pursuing a degree in Education Science (Physics and Chemistry). A passionate environmentalist.
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